US20160099097A1 - Engaging module - Google Patents
Engaging module Download PDFInfo
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- US20160099097A1 US20160099097A1 US14/595,210 US201514595210A US2016099097A1 US 20160099097 A1 US20160099097 A1 US 20160099097A1 US 201514595210 A US201514595210 A US 201514595210A US 2016099097 A1 US2016099097 A1 US 2016099097A1
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- engaging
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- axial direction
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- electrical connection
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- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 6
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- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 18
- 230000005489 elastic deformation Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000003044 adaptive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
- E05B47/02—Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- H01F7/00—Magnets
- H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
- H01F7/20—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets without armatures
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
- E05B47/0001—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof
- E05B47/0002—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof with electromagnets
- E05B47/0003—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof with electromagnets having a movable core
- E05B47/0004—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof with electromagnets having a movable core said core being linearly movable
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- H01F7/00—Magnets
- H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
- H01F7/08—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets with armatures
- H01F7/16—Rectilinearly-movable armatures
- H01F7/1638—Armatures not entering the winding
Definitions
- the invention is directed to an engaging module and more particularly, to an engaging module including an electromagnet.
- components of an electronic apparatus may be combined through a hook.
- the amount of interference between the hook and the corresponding component is limited by the amount of elastic deformation of the hook when they are engaged with each other, which leads to affection on the engaging capability.
- a portion of the hook has to be exposed for a user to apply a force to the hook, which causes affection to the appearance of the electronic apparatus.
- the minimum length of the hook is limited for the hook to have sufficient elastic deformation, which is unfavorable for thinning the appearance of the electronic apparatus.
- the internal hook tends to be fractured easily by the force applied by the user during the disassembly process.
- the invention provides an engaging module with good engaging capability, of which an engaging component can prevent from being fractured during an assembling and disassembling process, and an apparatus applying the engaging module can have better appearance.
- the invention is directed to an engaging module suitable for a first object and a second object.
- the first object and the second object are adapted to be combined or separated along a first axial direction.
- the engaging module includes an engaging component, an elastic component and at least one electromagnet.
- the engaging component is movably disposed on the first object. When the first object and the second object are combined, the engaging component is adapted to move along a plane to a first position to be engaged with the second object and adapted to move to a second position along the plane to separate from the second object.
- the first axial direction is not parallel to the plane.
- the elastic component is connected between the engaging component and the first object.
- the engaging component is positioned at the first position through an elastic force of the elastic component.
- the at least one electromagnet is disposed on the first object.
- the engaging component is adapted to resist the elastic force of the elastic component to be positioned at the second position through a magnetic force generated by the electromagnet.
- the first axial direction is perpendicular to the plane.
- the second object has an engaging slot.
- the engaging component When the second object moves along the first axial direction toward the first object, the second object pushes the engaging component to drive the engaging component to resist the elastic force of the elastic component to move toward the second position.
- the engaging component When the second object combined with the first object, the engaging component is aligned to the engaging slot and moves to the first position through the elastic force of the elastic component to be engaged with the engaging slot.
- the engaging component has a guide surface.
- the guide surface is inclined with respect to the first axial direction and the plane, the second object is adapted to push the guide surface to drive the engaging component to resist the elastic force of the elastic component to move toward the second position.
- a material of the engaging component comprises a magnetized material.
- the engaging component comprises a main body and a magnetized member, the main body has a containing slot, and the magnetized member is disposed in the containing slot.
- the engaging component is slidably disposed on the first object along a second axial direction.
- the second axial direction is parallel to the plane.
- the engaging component has a pillar extending along the second axial direction
- the elastic component is a compression spring fitted around the pillar
- the number of the at least one electromagnet is two, and the two electromagnets are respectively located on two opposite sides of the pillar.
- the engaging component is pivoted to the first object along the third axial direction.
- the third axial direction is perpendicular to the plane.
- the engaging component has a pivoted end and a free end.
- the pivoted end is pivoted to the first object along the third axial direction, and the elastic component is an elastic piece and leans against the free end.
- the engaging module includes a first electrical connection portion and a second electrical connection portion.
- the first electrical connection portion is disposed on the first object and electrically connected with the electromagnet
- the second electrical connection portion is disposed on the second object and electrically connected with a power supply.
- first electrical connection portion contacts the second electrical connection portion, such that the electromagnet is adapted to receive electricity from the power supply.
- the first electrical connection portion does not contact the second electrical connection portion.
- the objects are assembled and dissembled through the movement of the engaging component, instead of by using elastic deformation of a hook itself in the way like the conventional hook does.
- the amount of interference between the engaging component and the object interfered with each other is not limited and therefore, have better engaging capability.
- the engaging module is not operated through the elastic deformation of the engaging component as described above, the minimum length of the engaging component is not limited by the need of the elastic deformation, which contributes to thinning the appearance of an apparatus applying the engaging module.
- the engaging component is driven to move by using the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet, instead of by using a force applied by a user, and thus, the engaging component can be prevented from being fractured due to the force applied by the user. Meanwhile, the engaging component does not have to be exposed for the user to apply the force, such that the apparatus applying the engaging module may have better appearance.
- FIG. 1 is perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a scenario that an engaging component of FIG. 1 is separated from the second object.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a flow of combining the second object of FIG. 3 with the first object.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram illustrating the engaging module and the first object of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7A is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 7B is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object of FIG. 5A .
- FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a scenario that the engaging component of FIG. 8 is separated from the second object.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating part of components of an engaging module according to another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a scenario that an engaging component of FIG. 1 is separated from the second object.
- an engaging module 100 of the present embodiment is suitable for a first object 50 and a second object 60 .
- the engaging module 100 includes an engaging component 110 , an elastic component 120 and at least one electromagnet 130 (illustrated as two in this case).
- the engaging component 110 is movably disposed on the first object 50 , and a material of the engaging component 110 includes a magnetized material.
- the elastic component 120 is connected between the engaging component 110 and the first object 50 , and the electromagnets 130 are disposed on the first object 50 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- the engaging component 110 is adapted to move to a first position P 1 , as shown in FIG. 3 and to be positioned at the first position P 1 through an elastic force of the elastic component 120 .
- the engaging component 110 is engaged with the second object 60 , such that the first object 50 and the second object 60 are fixed to each other.
- the electromagnet 130 when the first object 50 and the second object 60 are combined, the electromagnet 130 is energized, such that the electromagnet 130 generates a magnetic force, such that the engaging component 110 resists the elastic force of the elastic component 120 through the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet 130 , as shown in FIG. 4 , to move to and be positioned at the second position P 2 .
- the engaging component 110 is separated from the second object 60 , such that the first object 50 and the second object 60 may be separated from each other.
- the first object 50 and the second object 60 are assembled dissembled by the engaging module 100 through the movement of the engaging component 110 , rather than through deformation of a hook in the way like the conventional hook does.
- the amount of interference between the engaging component 110 and the second object 60 interfered with each other is not limited to have larger amount of engagement and therefore, have better engaging capability.
- the engaging module 100 is not operated through the elastic deformation of the engaging component 110 as described above, the minimum length of the engaging component 110 is not limited by the need of the elastic deformation, which contributes to thinning the appearance of an apparatus applying the engaging module 100 .
- the engaging component 110 is driven to move by using the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet 130 , instead of by using a force applied by a user, and thus, the engaging component 110 may be prevented from being fractured due to the force applied by the user. Meanwhile, the engaging component 110 does not have to be exposed for the user to apply the force, such that the apparatus applying the engaging module 100 may have better appearance.
- first object 50 and the second object 60 may be, for example, two casings of an electronic apparatus.
- first object 50 and the second object 60 may be individually a display panel and its corresponding casing, a tablet computer and its corresponding docking station or any other objects that may be assembled to or disassembled from each other, which are not limited in the invention.
- the first object 50 and the second object 60 are adapted to be combined or separated along a first axial direction D 1 .
- the engaging component 110 is adapted to move to the first position P 1 and the second position P 2 along a plane S, where the plane S is, for example, a structure surface of the first object 50 or any other adaptive reference plane.
- the first object 50 and the second object 60 are combined or separated along a direction (i.e., the first axial direction DO perpendicular to a moving plane (i.e., the plane S) of the engaging component 110 , such that the engaging component 110 will not be driven by the relative movement of the first object 50 and the second object 60 along the first axial direction D 1 to reduce the risk of the engaging component 110 being accidentally separated from the second object 60 .
- the first axial direction D 1 is not necessarily perpendicular to the plane S and may be any other adaptive direction that is not parallel to the plane S.
- FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a flow of combining the second object of FIG. 3 with the first object.
- the second object 60 has an engaging slot 62
- the engaging component 110 has a guide surface 110 a.
- the guide surface 110 a is inclined with respect to the first axial direction D 1 and the plane S.
- an engaging direction (i.e., a second axial direction D 2 ) of the engaging slot 62 of the second object 60 is, for example, perpendicular to the direction (i.e., the first axial direction D 1 ) for assembling/disassembling the first object 50 and the second object 60 , such that the engagement of the engaging component 110 and the engaging slot 62 may securely stop the first object 50 and the second object 60 from being separated from each other.
- the direction (i.e., the first axial direction D 1 ) for assembling/disassembling the first object 50 and the second object 60 is designed as being perpendicular to the moving plane S of the engaging component 110 , such that the moving direction of the engaging component 110 is parallel to the engaging direction (i.e., the second axial direction D 2 ) of the engaging slot 62 of the second object 60 .
- the engaging component 110 may be smoothly engaged in the engaging slot 62 of the second object 60 along the second axial direction D 2 , without being designed in a form of a bending hook. Thereby, the issue of the hook fracture resulted from stress concentrated at the bending portion of the hook may be avoided.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram illustrating the engaging module and the first object of FIG. 1 .
- the engaging component 110 includes a main body 112 and a magnetized member 114 .
- a material of the main body 112 is, for example, plastic or any other type of non-magnetized material.
- the main body 112 has a containing slot 112 a.
- the magnetized member 114 is made of, for example, iron or any other magnetized metal and disposed in the containing slot 112 a , such that the engaging component 110 may move to the second position P 2 through the magnetic force of the electromagnet 130 attracting the magnetized member 114 .
- the first object 50 has two sliding slots 52 and a recess 54 .
- the main body 112 of the engaging component 110 has two sliding blocks 112 b and a pillar 112 c .
- the two sliding blocks 112 b slide along the second axial direction D 2 in the two sliding slots 52
- the pillar 112 c slides along the second axial direction D 2 in the recess 54 .
- the second axial direction D 2 is parallel to the plane S.
- the engaging component 110 may be slidably disposed on the first object 50 , which is not limited in the invention.
- the elastic component 120 is a compression spring fitted around the pillar 112 c, and the two electromagnets 130 are respectively located at two opposite sides of the pillar 112 c to generate an even magnetic force to attract the engaging component 110 and drive the engaging component 110 and the elastic component 120 to operate smoothly.
- Each of the electromagnet 130 includes a magnetized member 132 and a coil 134 .
- the coil 134 is wrapped around the magnetized member 132 and adapted to receive electricity to generate a magnetic field, such that the magnetized member 132 is magnetized to generate a magnetic attracting the engaging component 110 .
- the first object 50 has two fixing slots 56 , each magnetized member 132 has a fixing portion 132 a, and each fixing portion 132 a is fixed to the corresponding fixing slot 56 .
- FIG. 7A is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 7B is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object of FIG. 5A .
- the engaging module 100 (illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 ) further includes a first electrical connection portion 140 a and a second electrical connection portion 140 b.
- the first electrical connection portion 140 a is disposed on the first object 50 and electrically connected with the electromagnets 130 (illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 ).
- the second electrical connection portion 140 b is disposed on the second object 60 and electrically connected with a power supply.
- the first electrical connection portion 140 a contacts the second electrical connection portion 140 b.
- the electromagnets 130 are adapted to receive electricity from the power supply through the first electrical connection portion 140 a and the second electrical connection portion 140 b to generate the magnetic force to drive the engaging component 110 to separate from the second object 60 .
- the first electrical connection portion 50 does not contact the second electrical connection portion 60 to prevent the electromagnets 130 from being overheated due to continuously receiving the electricity from the power supply through the first electrical connection portion 140 a and the second electrical connection portion 140 b.
- whether the electromagnets 130 are energized may be controlled by other adaptive switches or sensing elements, which are not limited in the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a scenario that the engaging component of FIG. 8 is separated from the second object.
- a first object 50 ′, a fixing slot 56 ′, a second object 60 ′, an engaging slot 62 ′, an engaging component 210 , a main body 212 , a magnetized member 214 , an elastic component 220 , an electromagnet 230 , a magnetized member 232 , a fixing portion 232 a, a coil 234 , a plane S′, and a first axial direction D 1 ′ are disposed and operated similarly to the first object 50 , the fixing slot 56 , the second object 60 , the engaging slot 62 , the engaging component 110 , the main body 112 , the magnetized member 114 , the elastic component 120 , the electromagnet 130 , the magnetized member 132 , the fixing portion 132 a, the coil 134 ,
- the engaging module 200 is different from the engaging module 100 in that the first object 50 ′ has a pivot 58 , and the engaging component 210 has a pivoted end 210 a and a free end 210 b.
- the engaging component 210 is not slidably disposed on the first object 50 ′, but is pivoted to the pivot 58 of the first object 50 ′ along a third axial direction D 3 through the pivoted end 210 a.
- the third axial direction D 3 is perpendicular to the moving plane (i.e., the plane S′) of the engaging component 210 .
- the elastic component 220 is not a compression spring, but an elastic piece.
- the elastic piece leans against the free end 210 b of the engaging component 210 , such that the engaging component 210 is positioned through an elastic force of the elastic component 220 in a state shown in FIG. 8 to be engaged in the engaging slot 62 ′ of the second object 60 ′.
- the engaging component 210 is adapted to resist the elastic force of the elastic component 220 through a magnetic force generated by the electromagnet 230 to pivotally rotate to the a state shown in FIG. 9 to separate from the second object 60 ′. Thereby, the first object 50 ′ and the second object 60 ′ may be separated from each other.
- the number of the electromagnet 230 is, for example, one. In other embodiments, the electromagnet 230 may be in any other appropriate number, but the invention is not limited thereto.
- the first object 50 ′ has a positioning rib 59 use to fix the elastic component 220 to the first object 50 ′. In other embodiments, the elastic component 220 may be fixed by using any other adaptive structure, and the invention is not limited thereto.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating part of components of an engaging module according to another embodiment of the invention.
- an engaging component 310 , an elastic component 320 , and an electromagnet 330 is operated similarly to the engaging component 110 , the elastic component 120 , and the electromagnet 130 illustrated in FIG. 1 and thus, will not be repeatedly described hereinafter.
- the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 is different from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the engaging component 310 is not composed of the main body 112 and the magnetized member 114 as the engaging component 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 , and the engaging component 310 is an integrally formed magnetized member.
- the elastic component 320 includes two elastic arms respectively connected with two opposite sides of the engaging component 310 .
- the electromagnet 330 is adapted to drive the engaging component 310 to resist an elastic force of the elastic component 320 through a magnetic force generated to the engaging component 310 .
- the assembly and disassembly of the objects is performed by the engaging module through the movement of the engaging component in the invention, instead of by using the deformation of the hook itself in the way like the conventional hook does.
- the amount of interference between the engaging component and the object interfered with each other is not limited and therefore, have better engaging capability.
- the engaging module since the engaging module is not operated through the elastic deformation of the engaging component as described above, the minimum length of the engaging component is not limited by the need of the elastic deformation, which contributes to thinning the appearance of an apparatus applying the engaging module.
- the engaging component is driven to move by using the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet, instead of by using a force applied by a user, and thus, the engaging component can be prevented from being fractured due to the force applied by the user. Meanwhile, the engaging component does not have to be exposed for the user to apply the force, such that the apparatus applying the engaging module may have better appearance.
- the direction along which the first object and the second object are combined or separated is designed as being perpendicular to the moving plane of the engaging component, such that the engaging component is not driven to move due to the relative movement of the first object and the second object, such that the risk of the engaging component being accidentally separated from the second object can be reduced.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 103217499, filed on Oct. 1, 2014. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention is directed to an engaging module and more particularly, to an engaging module including an electromagnet.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Along with the developments of semiconductor devices and display technologies, electronic apparatuses are continuously developed toward being small-size, multi-functional and conveniently portable. The commonly available portable electronic apparatuses include tablet computers (tablet PCs), smart phones, notebook computers (NBs) and so on.
- Generally, components of an electronic apparatus may be combined through a hook. In order to assemble or disassemble the hook and the corresponding component by means of elastic deformation of the hook itself, the amount of interference between the hook and the corresponding component is limited by the amount of elastic deformation of the hook when they are engaged with each other, which leads to affection on the engaging capability. Moreover, in a design using the hook for appearance engagement, a portion of the hook has to be exposed for a user to apply a force to the hook, which causes affection to the appearance of the electronic apparatus. On the other hand, in a design of the internal hook of the electronic apparatus, the minimum length of the hook is limited for the hook to have sufficient elastic deformation, which is unfavorable for thinning the appearance of the electronic apparatus. Moreover, the internal hook tends to be fractured easily by the force applied by the user during the disassembly process.
- The invention provides an engaging module with good engaging capability, of which an engaging component can prevent from being fractured during an assembling and disassembling process, and an apparatus applying the engaging module can have better appearance.
- The invention is directed to an engaging module suitable for a first object and a second object. The first object and the second object are adapted to be combined or separated along a first axial direction. The engaging module includes an engaging component, an elastic component and at least one electromagnet. The engaging component is movably disposed on the first object. When the first object and the second object are combined, the engaging component is adapted to move along a plane to a first position to be engaged with the second object and adapted to move to a second position along the plane to separate from the second object. The first axial direction is not parallel to the plane. The elastic component is connected between the engaging component and the first object. The engaging component is positioned at the first position through an elastic force of the elastic component. The at least one electromagnet is disposed on the first object. The engaging component is adapted to resist the elastic force of the elastic component to be positioned at the second position through a magnetic force generated by the electromagnet.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the first axial direction is perpendicular to the plane.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the second object has an engaging slot. When the second object moves along the first axial direction toward the first object, the second object pushes the engaging component to drive the engaging component to resist the elastic force of the elastic component to move toward the second position. When the second object combined with the first object, the engaging component is aligned to the engaging slot and moves to the first position through the elastic force of the elastic component to be engaged with the engaging slot.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging component has a guide surface. The guide surface is inclined with respect to the first axial direction and the plane, the second object is adapted to push the guide surface to drive the engaging component to resist the elastic force of the elastic component to move toward the second position.
- In an embodiment of the invention, a material of the engaging component comprises a magnetized material.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging component comprises a main body and a magnetized member, the main body has a containing slot, and the magnetized member is disposed in the containing slot.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging component is slidably disposed on the first object along a second axial direction. The second axial direction is parallel to the plane.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging component has a pillar extending along the second axial direction, the elastic component is a compression spring fitted around the pillar.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the number of the at least one electromagnet is two, and the two electromagnets are respectively located on two opposite sides of the pillar.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging component is pivoted to the first object along the third axial direction. The third axial direction is perpendicular to the plane.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging component has a pivoted end and a free end. The pivoted end is pivoted to the first object along the third axial direction, and the elastic component is an elastic piece and leans against the free end.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the engaging module includes a first electrical connection portion and a second electrical connection portion. The first electrical connection portion is disposed on the first object and electrically connected with the electromagnet, and the second electrical connection portion is disposed on the second object and electrically connected with a power supply. When the first object and the second object are combined, first electrical connection portion the first electrical connection portion contacts the second electrical connection portion, such that the electromagnet is adapted to receive electricity from the power supply. When the first object is separated from the second object, the first electrical connection portion does not contact the second electrical connection portion.
- To sum up, in the engaging module of the invention, the objects are assembled and dissembled through the movement of the engaging component, instead of by using elastic deformation of a hook itself in the way like the conventional hook does. Thus, the amount of interference between the engaging component and the object interfered with each other is not limited and therefore, have better engaging capability. In addition, since the engaging module is not operated through the elastic deformation of the engaging component as described above, the minimum length of the engaging component is not limited by the need of the elastic deformation, which contributes to thinning the appearance of an apparatus applying the engaging module. Moreover, in the engaging module of the invention, the engaging component is driven to move by using the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet, instead of by using a force applied by a user, and thus, the engaging component can be prevented from being fractured due to the force applied by the user. Meanwhile, the engaging component does not have to be exposed for the user to apply the force, such that the apparatus applying the engaging module may have better appearance.
- In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.
- The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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FIG. 1 is perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a scenario that an engaging component ofFIG. 1 is separated from the second object. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a flow of combining the second object ofFIG. 3 with the first object. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram illustrating the engaging module and the first object ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7A is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 7B is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object ofFIG. 5A . -
FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to another embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a scenario that the engaging component ofFIG. 8 is separated from the second object. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating part of components of an engaging module according to another embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 1 is perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2 illustrates a scenario that an engaging component ofFIG. 1 is separated from the second object. Referring toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 , an engagingmodule 100 of the present embodiment is suitable for afirst object 50 and asecond object 60. The engagingmodule 100 includes an engagingcomponent 110, anelastic component 120 and at least one electromagnet 130 (illustrated as two in this case). The engagingcomponent 110 is movably disposed on thefirst object 50, and a material of the engagingcomponent 110 includes a magnetized material. Theelastic component 120 is connected between the engagingcomponent 110 and thefirst object 50, and theelectromagnets 130 are disposed on thefirst object 50. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated inFIG. 1 .FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the engaging structure illustrated inFIG. 2 . When thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 are combined, the engagingcomponent 110 is adapted to move to a first position P1, as shown inFIG. 3 and to be positioned at the first position P1 through an elastic force of theelastic component 120. In this scenario, the engagingcomponent 110 is engaged with thesecond object 60, such that thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 are fixed to each other. Additionally, when thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 are combined, theelectromagnet 130 is energized, such that theelectromagnet 130 generates a magnetic force, such that the engagingcomponent 110 resists the elastic force of theelastic component 120 through the magnetic force generated by theelectromagnet 130, as shown inFIG. 4 , to move to and be positioned at the second position P2. In this scenario, the engagingcomponent 110 is separated from thesecond object 60, such that thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 may be separated from each other. - Under the aforementioned disposition, the
first object 50 and thesecond object 60 are assembled dissembled by the engagingmodule 100 through the movement of the engagingcomponent 110, rather than through deformation of a hook in the way like the conventional hook does. Thus, the amount of interference between the engagingcomponent 110 and thesecond object 60 interfered with each other is not limited to have larger amount of engagement and therefore, have better engaging capability. In addition, since the engagingmodule 100 is not operated through the elastic deformation of the engagingcomponent 110 as described above, the minimum length of the engagingcomponent 110 is not limited by the need of the elastic deformation, which contributes to thinning the appearance of an apparatus applying the engagingmodule 100. Moreover, in the engagingmodule 100, the engagingcomponent 110 is driven to move by using the magnetic force generated by theelectromagnet 130, instead of by using a force applied by a user, and thus, the engagingcomponent 110 may be prevented from being fractured due to the force applied by the user. Meanwhile, the engagingcomponent 110 does not have to be exposed for the user to apply the force, such that the apparatus applying the engagingmodule 100 may have better appearance. - To make the illustration more concise and clear, only partial structures of the
first object 50 and thesecond object 60 are shown in the drawings. In the present embodiment, thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 may be, for example, two casings of an electronic apparatus. In other embodiments, thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 may be individually a display panel and its corresponding casing, a tablet computer and its corresponding docking station or any other objects that may be assembled to or disassembled from each other, which are not limited in the invention. - In the present embodiment, the
first object 50 and thesecond object 60 are adapted to be combined or separated along a first axial direction D1. The engagingcomponent 110 is adapted to move to the first position P1 and the second position P2 along a plane S, where the plane S is, for example, a structure surface of thefirst object 50 or any other adaptive reference plane. Thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 are combined or separated along a direction (i.e., the first axial direction DO perpendicular to a moving plane (i.e., the plane S) of the engagingcomponent 110, such that the engagingcomponent 110 will not be driven by the relative movement of thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 along the first axial direction D1 to reduce the risk of the engagingcomponent 110 being accidentally separated from thesecond object 60. In other embodiments, the first axial direction D1 is not necessarily perpendicular to the plane S and may be any other adaptive direction that is not parallel to the plane S. - The combination of the
first object 50 and thesecond object 60 will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a flow of combining the second object ofFIG. 3 with the first object. In the present embodiment, thesecond object 60 has an engagingslot 62, and the engagingcomponent 110 has aguide surface 110 a. Theguide surface 110 a is inclined with respect to the first axial direction D1 and the plane S. When a user wants to assemble thesecond object 60 to thefirst object 50, the user may move thesecond object 60 along the first axial direction D1 toward thefirst object 50, as shown inFIG. 5A toFIG. 5B , such that thesecond object 60 pushes theguide surface 110 a of the engagingcomponent 110 to drive the engagingcomponent 110 to resist the elastic force of theelastic component 120 to move to the second position P2, as shown inFIG. 5B . Then, when thesecond object 60 continues to move along the first axial direction D1 to be combined with thefirst object 50, as shown inFIG. 3 , the engagingcomponent 110 is aligned to the engagingslot 62 of thesecond object 60 and moves to the first position P1 through the elastic force of theelastic component 120 to be engaged in the engagingslot 62. Thereby, the assembly of thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 is completed. - Furthermore, an engaging direction (i.e., a second axial direction D2) of the engaging
slot 62 of thesecond object 60 is, for example, perpendicular to the direction (i.e., the first axial direction D1) for assembling/disassembling thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60, such that the engagement of the engagingcomponent 110 and the engagingslot 62 may securely stop thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 from being separated from each other. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the direction (i.e., the first axial direction D1) for assembling/disassembling thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 is designed as being perpendicular to the moving plane S of the engagingcomponent 110, such that the moving direction of the engagingcomponent 110 is parallel to the engaging direction (i.e., the second axial direction D2) of the engagingslot 62 of thesecond object 60. Thus, the engagingcomponent 110 may be smoothly engaged in the engagingslot 62 of thesecond object 60 along the second axial direction D2, without being designed in a form of a bending hook. Thereby, the issue of the hook fracture resulted from stress concentrated at the bending portion of the hook may be avoided. - Hereinafter, each component of the engaging
module 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram illustrating the engaging module and the first object ofFIG. 1 . Referring toFIG. 1 ,FIG. 3 andFIG. 6 , in the present embodiment, the engagingcomponent 110 includes amain body 112 and amagnetized member 114. A material of themain body 112 is, for example, plastic or any other type of non-magnetized material. Themain body 112 has a containingslot 112 a. Themagnetized member 114 is made of, for example, iron or any other magnetized metal and disposed in the containingslot 112 a, such that the engagingcomponent 110 may move to the second position P2 through the magnetic force of theelectromagnet 130 attracting themagnetized member 114. - The
first object 50 has two slidingslots 52 and arecess 54. Themain body 112 of the engagingcomponent 110 has two slidingblocks 112 b and apillar 112 c. The two slidingblocks 112 b slide along the second axial direction D2 in the two slidingslots 52, and thepillar 112 c slides along the second axial direction D2 in therecess 54. In this case, the second axial direction D2 is parallel to the plane S. In other embodiments, the engagingcomponent 110 may be slidably disposed on thefirst object 50, which is not limited in the invention. Additionally, theelastic component 120 is a compression spring fitted around thepillar 112 c, and the twoelectromagnets 130 are respectively located at two opposite sides of thepillar 112 c to generate an even magnetic force to attract the engagingcomponent 110 and drive the engagingcomponent 110 and theelastic component 120 to operate smoothly. - Each of the
electromagnet 130 includes amagnetized member 132 and acoil 134. Thecoil 134 is wrapped around themagnetized member 132 and adapted to receive electricity to generate a magnetic field, such that themagnetized member 132 is magnetized to generate a magnetic attracting the engagingcomponent 110. Additionally, thefirst object 50 has two fixingslots 56, eachmagnetized member 132 has a fixingportion 132 a, and each fixingportion 132 a is fixed to the corresponding fixingslot 56. -
FIG. 7A is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object ofFIG. 3 .FIG. 7B is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the first object and the second object ofFIG. 5A . Referring toFIG. 7A andFIG. 7B , in the present embodiment, the engaging module 100 (illustrated inFIG. 1 toFIG. 6 ) further includes a firstelectrical connection portion 140 a and a secondelectrical connection portion 140 b. The firstelectrical connection portion 140 a is disposed on thefirst object 50 and electrically connected with the electromagnets 130 (illustrated inFIG. 1 toFIG. 6 ). The secondelectrical connection portion 140 b is disposed on thesecond object 60 and electrically connected with a power supply. When thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 are combined, as shown inFIG. 3 andFIG. 7A , the firstelectrical connection portion 140 a contacts the secondelectrical connection portion 140 b. In this scenario, theelectromagnets 130 are adapted to receive electricity from the power supply through the firstelectrical connection portion 140 a and the secondelectrical connection portion 140 b to generate the magnetic force to drive the engagingcomponent 110 to separate from thesecond object 60. When thefirst object 50 and thesecond object 60 are separated, as shown inFIG. 5A andFIG. 7B , the firstelectrical connection portion 50 does not contact the secondelectrical connection portion 60 to prevent theelectromagnets 130 from being overheated due to continuously receiving the electricity from the power supply through the firstelectrical connection portion 140 a and the secondelectrical connection portion 140 b. In other embodiments, whether theelectromagnets 130 are energized may be controlled by other adaptive switches or sensing elements, which are not limited in the invention. -
FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating an engaging structure according to another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 9 illustrates a scenario that the engaging component ofFIG. 8 is separated from the second object. In an engagingmodule 200 of the present embodiment, afirst object 50′, a fixingslot 56′, asecond object 60′, an engagingslot 62′, an engagingcomponent 210, amain body 212, amagnetized member 214, anelastic component 220, anelectromagnet 230, amagnetized member 232, a fixingportion 232 a, acoil 234, a plane S′, and a first axial direction D1′ are disposed and operated similarly to thefirst object 50, the fixingslot 56, thesecond object 60, the engagingslot 62, the engagingcomponent 110, themain body 112, themagnetized member 114, theelastic component 120, theelectromagnet 130, themagnetized member 132, the fixingportion 132 a, thecoil 134, the plane S, and the first axial direction D1 illustrated inFIG. 1 toFIG. 6 and thus, will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. - The engaging
module 200 is different from the engagingmodule 100 in that thefirst object 50′ has apivot 58, and the engagingcomponent 210 has a pivotedend 210 a and afree end 210 b. The engagingcomponent 210 is not slidably disposed on thefirst object 50′, but is pivoted to thepivot 58 of thefirst object 50′ along a third axial direction D3 through the pivotedend 210 a. The third axial direction D3 is perpendicular to the moving plane (i.e., the plane S′) of the engagingcomponent 210. Additionally, theelastic component 220 is not a compression spring, but an elastic piece. The elastic piece leans against thefree end 210 b of the engagingcomponent 210, such that the engagingcomponent 210 is positioned through an elastic force of theelastic component 220 in a state shown inFIG. 8 to be engaged in the engagingslot 62′ of thesecond object 60′. The engagingcomponent 210 is adapted to resist the elastic force of theelastic component 220 through a magnetic force generated by theelectromagnet 230 to pivotally rotate to the a state shown inFIG. 9 to separate from thesecond object 60′. Thereby, thefirst object 50′ and thesecond object 60′ may be separated from each other. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 , the number of theelectromagnet 230 is, for example, one. In other embodiments, theelectromagnet 230 may be in any other appropriate number, but the invention is not limited thereto. Additionally, thefirst object 50′ has apositioning rib 59 use to fix theelastic component 220 to thefirst object 50′. In other embodiments, theelastic component 220 may be fixed by using any other adaptive structure, and the invention is not limited thereto. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating part of components of an engaging module according to another embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10 , an engagingcomponent 310, anelastic component 320, and anelectromagnet 330 is operated similarly to the engagingcomponent 110, theelastic component 120, and theelectromagnet 130 illustrated inFIG. 1 and thus, will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10 is different from the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 in that the engagingcomponent 310 is not composed of themain body 112 and themagnetized member 114 as the engagingcomponent 110 illustrated inFIG. 1 , and the engagingcomponent 310 is an integrally formed magnetized member. Theelastic component 320 includes two elastic arms respectively connected with two opposite sides of the engagingcomponent 310. Theelectromagnet 330 is adapted to drive the engagingcomponent 310 to resist an elastic force of theelastic component 320 through a magnetic force generated to the engagingcomponent 310. - In light of the foregoing, the assembly and disassembly of the objects is performed by the engaging module through the movement of the engaging component in the invention, instead of by using the deformation of the hook itself in the way like the conventional hook does. Thus, the amount of interference between the engaging component and the object interfered with each other is not limited and therefore, have better engaging capability. In addition, since the engaging module is not operated through the elastic deformation of the engaging component as described above, the minimum length of the engaging component is not limited by the need of the elastic deformation, which contributes to thinning the appearance of an apparatus applying the engaging module. Moreover, in the engaging module of the invention, the engaging component is driven to move by using the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet, instead of by using a force applied by a user, and thus, the engaging component can be prevented from being fractured due to the force applied by the user. Meanwhile, the engaging component does not have to be exposed for the user to apply the force, such that the apparatus applying the engaging module may have better appearance. Moreover, the direction along which the first object and the second object are combined or separated is designed as being perpendicular to the moving plane of the engaging component, such that the engaging component is not driven to move due to the relative movement of the first object and the second object, such that the risk of the engaging component being accidentally separated from the second object can be reduced.
- Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims not by the above detailed descriptions.
Claims (20)
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TW103217499U | 2014-10-01 | ||
TW103217499 | 2014-10-01 | ||
TW103217499U TWM496919U (en) | 2014-10-01 | 2014-10-01 | Clamping module |
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US20160099097A1 true US20160099097A1 (en) | 2016-04-07 |
US9396861B2 US9396861B2 (en) | 2016-07-19 |
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US14/595,210 Active US9396861B2 (en) | 2014-10-01 | 2015-01-13 | Engaging module |
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US (1) | US9396861B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN204131874U (en) |
TW (1) | TWM496919U (en) |
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US9727083B2 (en) * | 2015-10-19 | 2017-08-08 | Hand Held Products, Inc. | Quick release dock system and method |
CN106623320B (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2019-02-15 | 扬昕科技(苏州)有限公司 | Cleaning equipment and cleaning method |
TWI698735B (en) * | 2018-04-10 | 2020-07-11 | 仁寶電腦工業股份有限公司 | Electronic device |
CN110422006B (en) * | 2019-09-05 | 2024-05-31 | 南京市飞运翔科技有限公司 | Unbalanced lever rotating device |
Family Cites Families (9)
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US3358254A (en) * | 1966-02-11 | 1967-12-12 | Bendix Corp | Electrically actuated release mechanism |
US4800741A (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1989-01-31 | Sidney Kerschenbaum | Electrically and manually operable door lock with convenient backset selection |
US5044678A (en) * | 1990-07-25 | 1991-09-03 | Lectron Products, Inc. | Solenoid operated latch device with movable pole piece |
US5249831A (en) * | 1991-12-02 | 1993-10-05 | American Security Products Co. | Security lock for safes and the like having inertial operated counterweight |
US5532521A (en) * | 1993-12-03 | 1996-07-02 | Leininger; Robert L. | Security control system for the storage area of a delivery truck |
US5664811A (en) * | 1995-04-12 | 1997-09-09 | Lectron Products, Inc. | Fuel filler door actuator assembly with integral kick-out spring |
US5812356A (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 1998-09-22 | Dell U.S.A., L.P. | Computer docking system having an electromagnetic lock |
TWI238309B (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-08-21 | Asustek Comp Inc | Electronic apparatus having magnetic switch |
DE102004008348B3 (en) * | 2004-02-22 | 2005-10-20 | Fuss Fritz Gmbh & Co | Lock / release device for a swing latch of a door opener |
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2014
- 2014-10-01 TW TW103217499U patent/TWM496919U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2014-10-16 CN CN201420599171.6U patent/CN204131874U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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US9396861B2 (en) | 2016-07-19 |
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